The covered passages of Paris
 

The covered passages of Paris are a priority for some visitors and a total mystery for a lot of others who have never heard of them. It sort of depends on which guidebook you buy.

Frankly, they have always fascinated me, so I have started a photo report about some of them. I will be adding to it soon: http://tinyurl.com/parispassages

Keep going!
Grand-Cerf has a website http://www.passagedugrandcerf.com/en/v1.html
It contains some history, a useless map of the shops but a good street map, and "news" that is only a year out of date.

Thanks for bringing back some great memories, kerouac! I thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the Passages, and was mystified by how few guidebooks mentioned them.

For those who haven't seen it, I thought this old thread very helpful when planning a trip just 2 years ago:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...es-revised.cfm

Our hotel room overlooks the Passage de Panoramas.

Right inside, La Creperie makes terrific ice cream sundaes and parfaits.

Thank you, this is awesome! I intended to visit the Passage du Grand Cerf while I'm in Paris in June, but I didn't really realize that there were many other such places :)

There's something very quirky and and beautiful about these covered passages. Great photos!

kerouac, thank you so much! This is wonderful -- lots of passages I never even heard of. I have bookmarked for my next trip to Paris!

Thanks a bunch - was just thinking about some of your Paris photos.

Thank you,kerouac. Well done.

One of our trips was based on tours of Passages. We saw a number of these but your tour was much more comprehensive. Wonderful show. Thank you.

Another lovely look at Paris.
=D>

I have added several more passages to my report if anybody is interested.

Kerouac
You consistently outdo yourself with these marvelous picture reports.
They are truly fabulous. Thank you so much.

I was just thinking earlier this week that I hadn't seen one of your wonderful photo reports in awhile. Et, voilà!

Thanks so much, it was very informative and inspired me to see more.

Thanks so much for the passages info and photos. I have never heard of them but now will visit some when we come to Paris in the fall.

Thanks. I really believe that the passages of Paris are one of the most charming attractions that Paris has to offer when you have had your fill of monuments and museums.

I love looking at your photos. Really beautiful! Thank you.

Lovely, thanks for sharing the photos. I keep coming upon new ones, you're right there are just so many of them!

Just beautiful - thank you. It is very charming.

Lovely - I love the Passages...oddly my first explorations where those in the garment district....I fell in love with them that rainy day

Last time I was in Paris, we explored an area that I believe may have been near the Bastille that had something like these passages but was furniture and interior decor. I cannot figure out what it was called, where it was or how to find it again. Does what I'm describing sound familiar to anyone? I would like to let my D know about it.

Beautiful photos of a fascinating feature of Paris. I wonder whether there is a map with the passages marked? I mean not just the well-known ones.

loved the photos - I agree that early morning is the best to be photographing - you are up with the street and window washers. I always love the tiled floor in Galerie Vivienne. I also was intrigued by the Hotel Chopin in Passage Jouffroy.

thanks for sharing.

Kerouac, it is tres nice that you are posting your lovely photos again.


Thin

...I think I'll stay at the Chopin next time.

Thank you Kerouac. Stunning.

thanks for another "slice of life" in Paris. (Am I using the correct term?)

Thanks K.

"Passage du Grand Cerf".

Who knew that they were surfing way back then?

((I))

Hi Folks.... I have never traveled in Europe... plan to go this summer with my 12 year old daughter. The passages sound very interesting! Never heard of them. Are they safe? I am new to this website also ... how do I view your photos Kerouac?

Skatedancer, you may be talking about the Village Saint Paul, which is a series of open connected courtyards off rue Saint Paul in the Marais. Antiquarians and modern boutiques, mostly furnishings-related.

Thank you, Kerouac, for the pictures of the passages. Loved the pictures of the Hotel Chopin and the doll furniture store.

Walter Benjamin thought these passages had a huge influence on the character of the modern city-- that their quality of being outside and inside at the same time led people to consider strolling around looking at other people, buildings, shops, interactions, as a reasonable way of spending time. There are lots of snippets about various passages in his book The Arcades Project.

Great report, kerouac! I know I've been through a few of these (always a good, rainy day activity) but there are many more I was not familiar with. Merci.

Saving this for leisurely reading later.

Willtomcat, all you have to do is click on the link. The photos are in the report.

Passages are all great to vist..have been enjoying thme for years and have not been to all of them...

Joan

great trip through Paris...it's been awhile since we have been to any of them but worth another visit